Trustee

We have an exciting opportunity for three new Trustees to join the Board of Trustees for Alzheimer’s Research UK. We are keen to hear from candidates who can bring high level experience, skills and expertise to support the delivery of our ambitious ten-year strategy.

As an Alzheimer’s Research UK Trustee, you will be taking on a highly valued and critical role at the Charity, which will include setting and monitoring progress against our strategic vision; taking overall responsibility for our governance; and acting as a high-level ambassador for our work.

This is an exciting time to be joining Alzheimer’s Research UK as we implement our strategy, which marks a pivotal moment both for everyone affected by dementia and for us as a charity.  We’re striving for a cure; by revolutionising the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia. With research delivering new treatments and the ability to diagnose people with dementia much sooner, we are committed to ensuring these breakthroughs reach people with dementia as soon as possible.

What we are looking for

To complement the existing skills and knowledge on our Board, particularly as current members conclude their terms, we wish to appoint new Trustees with high-level experience and expertise in the following areas:

Finance (Treasurer)

As Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, you will assist the Chair, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team in ensuring that the Board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of Alzheimer’s Research UK, thereby enabling the most effective and efficient use of its funds to further its charitable aims and mission. 

Investment

·         We wish to appoint a new Trustee to bring high-level expertise in investments to the Board and to act as Chair to the Investment Committee.

Marketing and communications

·         We are seeking a communications expert to advise the Board on how we can further enhance awareness of, and engagement with, the Charity in order to deliver its aims.  Our new Trustee will have a strong background a related field such as brand development, marketing, advertising and/or PR.

All candidates

All candidates will need a good understanding of what’s involved in being a charity trustee and to be able to demonstrate the following: 

• Passion for our vision of a world free from the heartbreak of dementia and preferably (although this is not essential) personal experience of dementia
• A good understanding of charity governance and ability to contribute constructively and collaboratively in a Board environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Sound judgement and integrity.

We actively welcome applicants from all communities, backgrounds and geographies so that we reflect the diverse nature of the people we serve and who support us. 

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information regarding these roles.

Alternatively for more informal queries, please contact the Head of Governance, Lizzie Ashley-Webb with any informal enquiries about the role.

About our Board and the Trustee role

Trustees share the collective responsibility for the effective governance and development of Alzheimer’s Research UK, setting the Charity’s strategy and major policies in accordance with the Charity's vision, mission and values. They are responsible for monitoring performance against the Charity’s strategic aims and objectives, scrutinising the management of risk, and fulfilling the statutory governance obligations. They are also high-level ambassadors for the Charity and are expected to fully embody our values, which are to be determined, dynamic and change-making.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of one year, followed up by up to three subsequent terms of up to three years (maximum of ten years).

In terms of commitment, our Board meets five times a year. These meetings take place in London and at our head office near Cambridge, but we also offer virtual options. The work of the Board is further supported by four sub-committees which meet up to three times a year, either in person or virtually. Trustees are expected to attend all meetings, where possible, as well as to join suitable sub-committees/ groups, based on their skills and expertise. We also encourage Trustees to engage in other activities where possible to support the work of the Charity.

In turn we hugely value their support and work with all our Trustees to shape their role around their skills and interests. We provide exciting opportunities for them to engage with the Charity’s work; provide support for all new Trustees through a full induction; and offer ongoing support from our senior management and governance teams.

This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

The closing date for applications is the 22nd September 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 14th October 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK